Page 83 of Among the Sins of my Father

“The surprise was that I was having a party at all. I’m not a huge socializer. But Michael insisted.”

“Michael Gorman?”

I nod again.

“The deceased Michael Gorman?”

“Sadly, yes.”

“You danced very well, I must say.”

“You were there?”

“Michael and I were friends.”

“That’s right. I remember seeing you at his pool party.”

The young officer locks eyes with me. He knows there’s more to the story, he knows I know more than I’m letting on, but he doesn’t voice it.

I smile tightly. “I left later that night. After the dance. Before…” I look down at the floor, studying the patterns of the carpet. “Before everything happened.”

“Did you know your father was there that night?”

“Yes, I’ve found out since. It was a masquerade party. Everyone was wearing a mask.”

“And you didn’t recognize any of the guests as your father?”

“I wasn’t expecting to see him, so no.”

“And you left without seeing anything suspicious?”

“Last I saw of the party, everyone was having a marvelous time.”

“Were you there when Mr Priest was asked to leave?”

I shake my head. “I was getting changed. I left afterward.” The lies flow easily. I don’t even need to school my face. It remains impassive. Innocent.

“And where did you go?”

“After the party?”

“Yes, after the party.”

“Here.”

“With Mr Priest?”

“Yes. I had a job to return to.”

“I see.” Officer Conway clicks two more times on the cap of the pen and then sets it and the notepad down, balancing them on the arm of the chair. So far, he hasn’t recorded any notes.

“Can I be honest with you, Miss Atterton?”

“I go by the name Berkley.” I smile demurely. “Go ahead.”

“None of this adds up. You’re a little too involved not to be considered suspicious.”

“I can see how you could think that, but I assure you, I did not kill my father, or indeed any of the men that died that night.”

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